Our association was formed in 1961 to assist facility and building managers maintain their campuses. We provide training, problem solving, and professional assistance to our members. We also help to build, renovate, and maintain educational facilities of Maine.

The Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine is extremely pleased to again be collaborating with the Maine Department of Education to present the 50th Anniversary of the Annual EPMA Custodial and Maintenance Conference on the campus of Waterville Senior High School on 1 Brooklyn Avenue in Waterville, Maine on June 27 and 28, 2018. We will be working with recognized national experts and leaders in the field of school custodial and maintenance, as well as suppliers and manufacturers representatives who supply the products and equipment to our school facilities.

The Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine recognizes the need for strong professional development and the important role it plays in making our districts more productive, operate in a more cost-effective manner and provide the students, staff and all visitors a safer and healthy educational environment. In order that we can continue to reach more and more individuals and increase the number of districts participating in the conference we are pleased to announce that through the continued support of the Maine Department of Education and our Associate Members we are able to continue to offer this conference at no cost. The all-inclusive conference scholarships will cover conference registration, workshops, meals and overnight accommodations if needed so there is no out of pocket cost to attendees at the conference. More information is available on the EPMA website www.epmamaine.com or by contacting Jim Reny at his email jreny8@roadrunner.com

The Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine (EPMA) is proud of the 50 consecutive years it has made this conference available to the custodial and maintenance staffs of the schools throughout the State of Maine. Our continuing collaboration with the Maine Department of Education and the continuing support of our Associate Members allows us to provide this conference to all individuals at no cost with the hope that we reach as many districts as possible. As we continue to be faced with difficult and challenging economic times it is even more essential than ever that we operate at the highest level possible, are aware of all the best practices of our industry, are familiar with green products and green cleaning procedures, provide our students with a safe and healthy educational environment and have the opportunity to network with our peers and experts in the industry to make us as efficient and productive as we can possibly be to meet the daily challenges in our school districts.

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, the Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine will be presenting the 15th Annual A. Burleigh Oxton Award for Excellence to a deserving individual at this year’s conference closing ceremony on Wednesday. We have many dedicated employees within our districts and throughout the state who deserved to be recognized for their outstanding efforts and their dedication to the students and staff in our schools as well as their willingness to go above and beyond the everyday requirements of their jobs to provide the best possible educational environment for learning and student success.

We are extremely fortunate to have Laurie Lachance as our Keynote Speaker. Laurie is Thomas College’s 5th President and the first female and alumna to lead the College in its 124-year history. From 2004-2012, Laurie served as President and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation. Prior to MDF, Laurie served three governors as the Maine State Economist, and before joining state government, she served as the Corporate Economist at Central Maine Power Company. A frequent author and speaker on leadership, education, and the economy of Maine. Also we are very pleased to have as our General Session Speaker on Thursday Travis Mills. During his recovery at the U.S. Army’s flagship hospital, Walter Reed, Travis found a passion for inspiring fellow wounded servicemen and women. While at Walter Reed, Travis consistently toured the facility seeking opportunities to encourage and spend time with fellow wounded soldiers and their families. To carry on his passion, Travis Mills founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed to benefit and assist wounded and injured veterans and their families. He speaks across the country, motivating others to live by his motto: "Never give up. Never quit."

As we have done in the past, we will offer a wide variety of programs to help custodians and supervisors meet the daily challenges they face as well as the professional development they need to be successful in their districts. We have had increasing numbers of districts taking part in the conference over the past years allowing for great networking opportunities for all participants.

Enclosed you will find a registration form as well as a program agenda for the conference. Please register as soon as possible so that we can provide updated figures to Waterville High School by early June.

Remember this is a no cost conference (all-inclusive conference scholarships will cover conference registration, workshops, meals and overnight accommodations if needed so there is no out of pocket cost) for all attendees including custodians, supervisors, facility directors, business managers and superintendents.